Matthew 6: 1-4 Hypocrisy Reproved

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Hypocrisy is the main charge from the world against the church. It is their “reason” not to worship God and His Son Jesus Christ. But as one can see, there is no hypocrisy in the life of Jesus. At the root of hypocrisy is one’s own denial of their sinful nature and the salvation found in the grace of God alone. It takes God’s credit and makes it ours. What Jesus is saying is that if you avoid self-credit, you may receive credit from God who is impartial in his judgment and recognized works that are done in his name. It is far more worthy to receive the reward of God than the reward of man.

Daily Prayer: Father, let me spend my time in humble service before your throne. Let me not look either to my right or to my left, but only toward my Savior who loves me and gave his life for me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.